Chapter 299 - Families (2/2)
”Well, when you put it like that Christina, I guess you really didn't have a choice,” Dumbledore said looking amused.
Harry chuckled.
For a moment Chris stared at Dumbledore and Harry. Seeing Harry grinning and Dumbledore smiling she laughed with them.
”I will be going, sir,” Chris got up. ”Good night.”
”Good night, Christina,” Dumbledore said.
As she walked out and heard Harry and Dumbledore talking again, she realized something.
Friends become family easily but sometimes teachers do too.
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”So Tom Riddle killed his father and grandparents then planted that memory in Morfin,” Harry said. ”He then took the family ring and came back to Hogwarts while Morfin was sent to Azkaban.”
Hermione shivered wrapping her arms around herself more tightly. She, Ron, Harry, Colin, Luna and Chris were outside on the snowy courtyard because the Room of Requirement was occupied. Harry was retelling them about the recent memory of Voldemort.
”He was fifteen or sixteen, and he already killed four people,” Hermione murmured.
”Four?” Ron raised his eyebrows at her. ”Three, his father, grandfather and grandmother.”
”Moaning Myrtle,” Hermione sighed.
”Right,” Ron nodded grimly.
”But the age doesn't matter the evilness inside him does,” said Luna sadly. ”He was evil. He killed people for pleasure.”
Colin looked at her sideways and then looked at Chris, she understood why. Luna didn't want Chris to get hurt over Hermione's words. She wanted to make it clear that there's a difference between killing in pleasure and killing in pain and defence.
Harry opened his mouth to say something but at that moment, Ginny came running.
”Sorry, I am a little late,” she panted. ”What did I miss?”
”The entire thing,” said Harry. ”Where were you?”
”Sorry,” Ginny looked away embarrassed. ”I was just — got distracted, I guess.”
”You are distracted a lot, nowadays,” said Colin looking concerned. ”You were late too classes too.”
”Ginny, is everything okay?” asked Luna.
”Yeah, yeah, totally,” Ginny tried to smile.
”Ginny, what's going on?” Ron said and tried to sound stern.
”Oh, stop trying to be the big brother,” Ginny said rolling her eyes.
”Is it about Dean?” asked Hermione but quickly regretted it.
”Is it about boys?” Ron looked at Ginny incredulously.
”Of course not,” Ginny snapped. ”And honestly, it is none of your business who I am dating or what I do with them, Ron —”
”Yeah, it is!” said Ron angrily. ”D'you think I want people saying my sister's a —”
”Ron!” Chris hissed and Hermione gasped.
”A what?” shouted Ginny, drawing her wand. ”A what, exactly?”
”He doesn't mean anything, Ginny —” said Harry. ”Ron, calm down.”
”Oh yes, he does!” Ginny said, flaring up at Harry. ”Have I ever asked him why he snogs Lavender Brown? They suck each other faces all around the school. Have I said something about it? Who does he think himself, butting into my business?”
”Shut your mouth!” bellowed Ron.
”No, I will not!” yelled Ginny.
Ron pulled out his wand angrily.
”Ron, stop it,” Chris tried to go to Ginny's side but Harry swiftly stepped between them. His back to Ginny as he faced Ron. Chris froze.
He is trying to protect Ginny from Ron because he fancies her too, a cruel voice inside Chris' head whispered.
While Chris was as still as stone Hermione and Colin also stepped in. Colin and Harry dragged Ron away as Ginny started to sob on Hermione's shoulder.
”He can be a bit unkind, I know,” said Luna patting Ginny.
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To be continued. . .